How to clean wheels so they look like new

[jb1970]

I recently changed my brake pads from stock to Wearever and the wheels stay a lot cleaner than before.

The trouble is there is a lot of caked on brake dust or tar spots that I am having trouble removing.

I have tried a range of products from wheel cleaners to Goo-gone and finally Xylol Xylene.
I am not sure I need to worry about stripping the finish on the wheel since there is a layer of tar spots on them anyway.

How would I go about getting these wheels (2015 RS7 forged 20 inch) as clean as new?

[slobdogg]

Heavy Duty Wheels Cleaner, and an Iron & Fallout Remover product is what you're looking for.

[gimpgutter]

Or Sonax. I go through about a half gallon a year.

[Bdubs]

I use CarPro Iron X, maybe 3-4 times a year, on the wheels. Really helps remove the hard to remove buildup and then use CarGuys wheel cleaner. The wheels are a lot easier to clean the first several washes after the Iron X is used. And, I have used lots of different wheel cleaners, but have stuck with Car Guys for the last year or so...seems to work pretty well.

[jcoleman_11]

So first things first, you’ll want to remove the wheel.
IronX is some strong stuff, so start with that.
Goo-Gone is great for adhesive left behind from balancing weights, but doesn’t do a great job for brake matter and tar.

Once you got them clean, the best way going forward is to clean them often. I personally love Diablo Gel by Chemical Guys. The 5L jug is cheap and dilutes 4:1, giving you 20L of usable product, so you can be really generous with it.


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[MacFady]

For the tar literally just rub a clay bar over it a couple of times and it will be gone.

[DocTJ]

+2 on sonax

[PKmode]

I'd start with a heavy degreaser. My choice is Super Clean and has been for a decade plus. You'd be surprised how well this works on wheels/brake dust. From there, I'd take a plastic blade and remove the bulk tar and asphalt that is stuck on there good. Then use a fall out remover like Iron X, Sonax or whatever. I recently started using the much cheaper Eagle One Triple Foam cleaner as that step. Does an excellent job and the foam doesn't run off immediately so there is more time to let the product work before agitation. Then clay bar after all this so you don't clog the bar and grind debris into your surface. If there is anything really stubborn, you can go to something acidic in nature but be careful with use. After trial and error, I found the best value product to be Superior Brand (industrial supplier, available at O'rieillys) Wire Wheel Cleaner. Do research before using acids but sometimes, there is just no substitute.

Finally, once clean, regular washes will keep from having to use this much product and elbow grease in the future. Still, if using OEM pads, I'd recommend Armor All Brake Dust Repellent. That stuff works excellent when used properly (clean a dry wheel, full coverage even application with no drips) and will repel brake dust for several weeks between washes. Better yet is to switch to a ceramic compound pad like Akebono and you won't have the brake dust in the first place.